My Baby Has Norovirus (Stomach Bug)
The short answer
Norovirus, commonly called the stomach bug or stomach flu, causes sudden vomiting, watery diarrhea, and sometimes fever and stomach cramps. It is extremely contagious and is the most common cause of gastroenteritis in children. The illness usually lasts one to three days, and the primary concern is preventing dehydration through frequent small sips of fluids or oral rehydration solution.
By Age
What to expect by age
Norovirus in very young babies can be serious because they dehydrate quickly. Symptoms typically begin suddenly with forceful vomiting followed by watery diarrhea. Breastfed babies have some protection through antibodies in breast milk, but can still get infected. Continue breastfeeding frequently in small amounts. If your baby is formula fed, offer small, frequent feeds. Contact your pediatrician if your baby under six months develops vomiting and diarrhea.
Babies in this age range are increasingly exposed to norovirus through daycare, play groups, and touching contaminated surfaces. The illness typically starts with vomiting that lasts one to two days, followed by diarrhea that may continue for a few more days. Offer breast milk, formula, or an oral rehydration solution in small amounts every few minutes. Avoid giving plain water as the sole fluid replacement, as babies also need electrolytes.
Toddlers with norovirus may vomit frequently for the first 12 to 24 hours, then transition to diarrhea. They may refuse food, which is fine temporarily as long as they are drinking fluids. Start with small sips of oral rehydration solution every five minutes and gradually increase as tolerated. Once vomiting subsides, offer bland foods in small amounts. The BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) is no longer specifically recommended, but these foods are easy on the stomach.
Older toddlers can usually communicate that they feel nauseated or have a stomach ache, which helps with management. Norovirus at this age is unpleasant but usually resolves within one to three days. Keep your child home from daycare until at least 48 hours after symptoms resolve, as they remain contagious. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, as alcohol-based sanitizers are less effective against norovirus.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your child has one to three days of vomiting and diarrhea but is able to keep some fluids down and has adequate wet diapers
- Your child's appetite is poor during the illness but they are gradually improving and starting to eat again
- Your child has mild stomach cramps that resolve as the illness passes
- Your child is tired and clingy during the illness but is alert when awake and becoming more active each day
- Vomiting or diarrhea persists beyond three days without improvement
- Your child has a fever above 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.9 degrees Celsius) that is not responding to fever-reducing medication
- Your baby shows signs of dehydration: fewer than six wet diapers in 24 hours, no tears when crying, dry cracked lips, sunken eyes or fontanelle, or extreme drowsiness
- Your child cannot keep any fluids down for more than eight hours, vomit contains blood or green bile, or your child seems confused or unusually difficult to wake
Sources
Related Resources
Related Digestive Concerns
My Baby's Belly Looks Swollen
A rounded, slightly protruding belly is completely normal in babies and toddlers due to immature abdominal muscles and their proportionally larger organs. However, if the belly becomes suddenly swollen, feels hard and tight, or is accompanied by pain, vomiting, or changes in bowel movements, it needs medical evaluation as it could signal gas buildup, constipation, or rarely, something more serious.
My Baby Has an Anal Fissure (Blood When Pooping)
A small streak of bright red blood on the surface of your baby's stool or on the diaper is most commonly caused by an anal fissure, which is a tiny tear in the skin around the anus from passing hard stool. Anal fissures are very common in babies and toddlers and usually heal on their own with simple measures like keeping stools soft. While this is rarely serious, any blood in your baby's stool should be mentioned to your pediatrician.
My Baby Eats Non-Food Items (Pica)
It is completely normal for babies and young toddlers to explore by putting objects in their mouths. True pica, which is the persistent eating of non-food substances, is uncommon before age two and may be linked to iron deficiency or developmental factors. If your child repeatedly seeks out and eats non-food items past the typical mouthing stage, it is worth discussing with your pediatrician.
Baby Excessive Gas After Starting Solids
Increased gas after starting solid foods is completely normal and expected. Your baby's digestive system is encountering new proteins, fibers, and sugars for the first time and needs time to adapt. The gut bacteria are also diversifying, which naturally produces more gas. This typically improves within a few weeks as the digestive system adjusts to each new food.
My Baby Gulps Air While Feeding
Swallowing some air during feeding is normal for all babies, but excessive air gulping can lead to gas, hiccups, and spit-up. Common causes include fast milk flow, poor latch (if breastfeeding), bottle nipple flow that's too fast or slow, and crying before feeds. Simple adjustments to feeding position, pacing, and equipment can usually help reduce air intake significantly.
Baby Poop Color Changes with Solids
Dramatic changes in poop color after starting solids are completely normal and expected. What your baby eats directly affects stool color - carrots may turn poop orange, spinach makes it green, beets can make it reddish, and blueberries can turn it dark blue-black. As long as your baby is comfortable and the stool is not white, black (tarry), or bright red with blood, these color changes are harmless.